24 Strategist-Approved Host Gifts (That You Can Buy at Nordstrom)

Brightland’s signature EVOO, whichAnna Hezel, senior editor at Taste, says “everyone in foodmediaseems to be totally nuts for,” was included in our roundup of thebest olive oils. The brand sources its olives from California and packages the final product in a Matisse-inspired bottle that’ll add a bit of flair to their kitchen counter.

The Takenaka Bento Box has been a Strategist favorite ever since contributorLeah Bhabhadescribed how it “makes packing a meal feel like a treat instead of a sacrifice.” Bhabha likes that the box snaps shut securely, has two layers to separate saucy and dry foods, and comes in lots of cute colors, including this cheerful Poketo-designed option. And if you want to go all out, you can gift it prefilled with fancy caramels or other wrapped candy.

Diptyque’s Figuier is a sweet, fresh, green fragrance that will conjure the feeling of hiking through the California redwoods. The scent is so iconic that Strategist writer Tembe Denton-Hurst named it aBest in Class candle, and it’s also vouched for byVictoria Beckham, who says it’s become the signature scent of her flagship store on Dover Street: “Everyone who walks in always talks about the amazing smell of the store, and that’s just because of the candle,” she says.

Or, if their favorite activity is curling up on the couch, this Margiela By the Fireplace candle smells “warm and woodsy with a little touch of cinnamon,” according to floristRyan Norville. She’s owned “a lot of luxury candles and many of them don’t pay off in the scent department,” but this one “really fills a room.”

Dermatologists and aestheticiansrecommend this luxurious and refreshing Dr. Barbara Sturm face mist, especially after spending time in the sun.Shen Beautyfounder Jessica Richards says the aloe ingredient “makes [her] skin feel less parched,” adding that it’s “ideal for hydration.”

Help them relax and take a breather with these Lord Jones CBD bath salts. Strategist senior writerLiza Corsilloreports that the salts helped “soothe [her] tense back and shoulders”; after soaking in the tub for a bit, she felt “ready to fall into a deep sleep.”

Graphic designerNaomi Otsurecommends this set of East Asian and Southeast Asian spice kits from Omsom, a company that appears in our guide to thebest edible gifts. “These starter seasoning packets make it so easy to switch up a weekday dinner,” she says. “Not to mention, they’re delicious!”

Dusen Dusen’s fun, zany patterns will definitely appeal to their aesthetic sensibility.Coming Soonco-ownersFabiana Fariaand Helena Barquet love drying off with the brand’s terry robes after a long day of swimming: “They’re great, especially at the end of the day when it’s windy,” Faria says.

Le Puzz’s cheeky puzzles are among our favoritegifts for best friends, so we’re sure any dog-loving host will be delighted by this image of an adorable pup in heart-shaped sunglasses.

Made from 100 percent silk, this luxurious eye mask from Slip is certain to help them nod off. Jimmy Choo co-founderTamara Mellonsays it feels “really soft,” with a “nice squishy padded quality that’s comfortable on the face.” The mask lets her feel like she’s falling asleep “in a black hole.”

Help them heal dry, cracked skin with an ultrasoothing hand cream.Hand modelAriel Paredes counts this Chanel balm as one of her favorites because it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave shine or residue. It also has a pleasantly subtle fragrance that is “so nice and relaxing,” Paredes says.

Jewelry designerWaris Ahluwaliainformed us that “Charbonnel et Walker is one ofBritain’soldest chocolatiers” and that its top-quality chocolates make for a great gift because they’re “delicious and come in beautiful packaging.”

If they’re a Selena Gomez fan, they’ll love this set of tumblers from the actor’s collaboration with cookware brand Our Place. When Strategist writerDominique Parisotested the drinkware for herself, she found that the cups felt “wonderfully hefty in your hand, look more expensive than they are, and are great for drinking everything from water to old-fashioneds to wine.”

This miniaturesmart garden, with small enough dimensions to fit on a kitchen counter, will allow them to incorporate the freshest of herbs and other homegrown produce into their cooking. Singer-songwriterTayla Parxowns several Click & Grow gardens for growing “strawberries, salad greens, peppers, and all kinds of other things.”

Dauphinette’s adorable rosebud earrings were the best thing singer-songwriterAmanda Shiresbought herself in 2020. “You don’t have to be a horticulturist to enjoy the happiness they bring,” Shires writes. “Plus, you can mix and match.”

According to Strategist contributorBuzz Bissinger, this Beis cosmetics case “has room for about a dozen skin-care items” and enough compartments “for brushes and smaller items such as tweezers.” He’s especially a fan of the “cleverly designed” attached mirror that comes with a built-in stand.

Writer and editorHannah Morrillrecommends gifting your host these rainbow-hued MoMA napkins because their “fun stand-alone multicolored palette” means “you don’t have to worry too much about matching your host’s dishes or décor style.” As a bonus, they come with printed fold-by-numbers instructions to create charming designs like the Standing Fan, the Bishop’s Hat, and the Rosebud.

AstrologerSusan Millercalls this Fresh brown-sugar body polish “the bestexfoliant— soft, yet efficient.” She rubs it on her face with a little water right after showering and it “sloughs off all the dead cells you don’t even know you have,” leaving her skin so clean and smooth “that light reflects off it.”

Strategist contributorAlice Gregoryclaims you can achieve an “instant French manicure” just by dabbing on this Dior Nail Glow. “The varnish is a translucent magenta in the bottle and goes on rosy-clear,” Gregory writes. “By the time it’s dried, the pink part of your nail is a little pinker, and the white part is a little whiter.”

This kit, which we included in our roundup of the bestFather’s Day food gifts, comes with everything they’ll need to brew their first batch of beer, including hops, IPA grain mix, and reusable equipment (including a glass fermentation jug and a thermometer).

Furniture designerAna Krassays this speaker “is the size of a quail egg and gives such a nice sound.” She carries hers around with her wherever she goes and has “already gifted many” to friends.

This Barefoot Dreams throw blanket is a Strategist best seller, and for good reason: It’s beloved by everyone fromVSCO girlstoDelilah Belle HamlintoBrie Larson,who told us she bought one after hearing about it from her 13-year-old neighbor. Vlogger Marla Fay says it’s “the most amazing, soft, cuddly throw.”

Yellowbird’s hot sauces are a hit amongreviewers, with the brand’s habanero and jalapeño sauces both receiving top marks. One buyer who was searching for “an everyday hot sauce that isn’t blazing hot but would add a depth to the flavor of any dish” found it in the jalapeño, while another called out the habanero’s “beautiful citrus undertone with just the right about of spicy.” This sampler pack includes additional flavors such as serrano, blue agave sriracha, and ghost pepper.

ModelPaloma Elsessercalls this Vintner’s Daughter serum “pretty magical,” with a “beautiful smell” and texture that’s “light enough where I can put it on by itself during the day or put a moisturizer on top at night.” She uses her bottle all the way up until she has to “bang it against [her] hand to get the very last drop out.”